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SAT Injury/Roster Update: Giroux, Kesler, Timonen, Alfredsson, Hejduk

(5/19/12) With only 4 teams remaining in the playoffs, and with no new injuries for those teams, today we turn our attention to some of the offseason injuries, surgeries, and roster announcements surfacing around the NHL.

Starting with Philadelphia, Claude Giroux had wrist surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right wrist and remove bone spurs in his left. Recovery time is estimated to be 6 weeks. He continues to lead the playoffs in scoring. Wayne Simmonds had surgery to repair a broken index finger. He will take 4-6 weeks to heal. Oft injured James van Riemsdyk needs hip surgery to repair a torn right labrum, which will require 6 weeks of healing time. Matt Carle will need 4-6 weeks to recover from the surgery he's had to repair a torn stomach muscle, and Kimmo Timonen will go under the knife for back surgery. Timomen is expected to need 8 to 10 weeks of recovery time, which means he should be ready for training camp.

We recently reported Ryan Kesler's shoulder surgery, which took place on May 8th. The big news now is that Kesler will not rush his return, which is blamed for his down year in 2011-2012 when he came back sooner than expected from offseason surgery. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, there is wide speculation that Kesler will need to alter his crash-and-bash style if he wants his career to proceed without regular injuries. If that becomes the case, we foresee a drop in his fantasy production because a lot of Kesler's chances are created due his aggressive style, which in turns improves his confidence leading to still further production.

Over at the WHCs, Daniel Alfredsson says he may have played his last hockey game. The Swedes lost 4-3 to the Czechs and were eliminated from the tournament. A reportedly "distraught" Alfredsson told the media that it could be all over for him. Keeper owners await a final announcement regarding Alfie's future.

Finally, Milan Hejduk has re-signed for another year with the Colorado Avalanche. ESPN.com reports that the deal is worth $2 million. Hejduk is 36 and recorded 14 goals and 37 points in 81 games in 2011-12 - the lowest point total of his 13 year NHL career. He brings veteran leadership to a young up-and-coming Avalanche team.